More From Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Ha Long Bay in Vietnam (literally translating to "Descending Dragon Bay") was the setting for many naval battles over the years.

Beginning in the feudal period, the Vietnamese would continually defend themselves against foreign invaders, including both the Chinese and the Mongolians, on these waters. At the height of the Vietnam War, many of these channels were filled with mines from the United States Navy. Sadly, the scattering of these mines still poses a constant problem for present day shipping companies.

Ha Long Bay spans an area over 1,500 square kilometres, is located in the Golf of Tonkin, and is home to approximately 2,000 islands — mostly consisting of limestone.